Calls for drug rehab centre in Enniscorthy as families live in fear of having their ‘houses burnt down’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The families of addicts in Co Wexford are living in constant fear of having their “doors kicked in” or “houses burned down” due to the lack of drug services in the area according to independent councillor John O’Rourke. Despite numerous invites, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has yet to visit Enniscorthy to discuss a potential residential care unit for the town and, at the March meeting of the municipal district, Cllr O’Rourke reiterated his concerns for those most impacted by addiction.

“We contacted the health minister six months ago asking that a plan be put together for a drug rehab centre in Enniscorthy, there are vacant buildings here which are owned by the HSE and they could be used for a residential care unit,” he said. “We still haven’t met the minister, she hasn’t made an effort to come and visit.

"Meanwhile, the impacted families are at their wit’s end trying to deal with this, and the closest available residential support unit is Cuain Mhuire in Athy, which is completely overwhelmed with applicants, or Aiséirí in Wexford town. Neither of those centres currently has the bed capacity to take on residential care patients.”

Having had close personal friends of his avail of the supports in Cuain Mhuire, Cllr O’Rourke was in no doubt about their effectiveness but said that, without a similar service locally, Enniscorthy families would continue to suffer.

“Families are experiencing severe trauma because of this, they don’t know when someone is going to call to their house to kick in their door or set it on fire due to drug debt,” he said. “Aiséirí does an incredible job but not every family can afford to spend thousands to send someone there.

"I would ask that we contact the health minister yet again to see if she will come down and discuss this with us.”

District manager Claire Lawless confirmed that she had previously contacted the health minister’s office requesting a meeting and said she would do so again on behalf of the district.